Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
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10.08.2008 - 12:45pm ET
News from:
The Aspen Institute
The Council of Women World Leaders Kicks Off the Albright Women's Voice Series
EU's Margot Wallström and Sec. Albright Discuss EU-US Relations
(CSRwire) WASHINGTON, DC. - October 8, 2008 – Two of the world's most influential
women leaders met on Friday, October 3, 2008, to offer advice to the
incoming American President on European Union (EU) - United States (US)
relations. The Council of Women World Leaders, a policy program of the
Aspen Institute, hosted a panel discussion between former US Secretary of
State Madeleine K. Albright and Margot Wallström, the Vice President of
the European Commission. This event was the inaugural program of the
Madeleine K. Albright Women's Voices at the Aspen Institute
Series.
With a rich but complex history of cooperation and shared values, the EU
and the US alliance is an essential, though at times challenging,
relationship, according to Secretary Albright. In addressing current
global environmental concerns, Vice President Wallström emphasized the
need to "change the timeline" with respect to climate change in order to
modify the approach and emphasize "(the) opportunity" rather than focus
solely on the problem.
Turning to gender inequity, both speakers stressed the importance of
increasing the number and visibility of women leaders globally. According
to both Secretary Albright and Vice President Wallström, security - as a
concept - was approached differently by women and men. For example, women
often emphasize access to education, clean water, and a stable family
structure as part of the solution to global security challenges, whereas
their male counterparts tend to focus more on a military-centered
approach.
Secretary Albright expressed the need for "dialogue with Iran without
preconditions" in partnership with the EU. In reference to US policies on
Iraq and the Middle East, Secretary Albright commented that "imposing
democracy is an oxymoron." Both speakers suggested that focusing on the
root causes of terrorism, such as poverty and marginalization, was more
sensible than "bundling terrorists" into one category.
Vice President Wallström outlined an international response to recent
actions by Russia: we must not only "engage Russia but make clear
statements about problems" and send a financial message. Both speakers
agreed that we cannot afford to return to a Cold War-like system.
Regarding the global economy and stable democratic systems of governance,
Secretary Albright noted that you cannot have a traditional democracy
without a middle class, and it is not possible to have a middle class
without a strong economy. Both leaders highlighted the importance of
strengthening the EU-US alliance under the next American president in
order to strengthen their respective national economies and international
markets. Secretary Albright observed that both candidates understand the
importance of working with Europe, but believed that Senator Obama favors
the use of soft power and partnerships.
For more information please contact Alina Dumitrasc, Council
of Women World Leaders at the Aspen Institute, Phone: 202.736.2920; Email:
info@cwwl.org; or visit www.cwwl.org.
The Council of Women World Leaders is a network of 36 current and
former women presidents and prime ministers. The Council and its
Ministerial Initiative, a global Network of Women Ministers grouped into
specific portfolios, create a collective voice for women at the highest
levels of government. Mary Robinson, President of Ireland (1990-97) is
Chair of the Council, and Margot Wallström, First Vice-President of the
European Commission (2004-present), is Chair of the Ministerial
Initiative. The Council is a policy program of the Aspen Institute.
The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based
leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas
that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue
for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does
this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the
globe, policy programs and public conferences and events. The Institute is
based in Washington, DC, Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on
Maryland's Eastern Shore and has an international network of partners.
For more information please contact:
Alina Dumitrasc
The Aspen Institute
202-736-2920
www.aspeninstitute.org
www.aspeninstitute.org
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